A - No we don't. Our products work with a regular controller to create wireless connections to the valves and other components.
Q - Do you make wireless valves?
A - No, but our gear can connect a regular valve to a controller with no wire. So, effectively one can say we can help retrofit a regular valve into a wireless valve.
Q - So, what are your products do?
A - Simply put, our gear replaces the wiring between controller and all other devices that a controller controls (like pumps, valves, master-valves, and flow sensor). All of the gears stay as they are, but the connecting wires just go away and the system would become a wireless irrigation system.
Q - Would lightning be an issue for this wireless irrigation setup or radios?
A - No, we can't see how it could be a problem. Each valve is connected to a wireless device and is isolated from the controller. There are no wires in ground from valves to anywhere, so even if by any chance one of the valves is hit directly by lightning, then that energy stays where it is and does not go anywhere else. A valve or maybe a receiver would (or could) be the only "casualties" of a lightning strike.
Q - Would this wireless irrigation setup eliminate the power surge?
A - No, power surge on power line is always an issue for the controller (or anything else that is plugged into power outlet). There are very effective power surge protection solutions in the market and we know off one or two that we use ourselves and can recommend (we don't sell them!).
Q - How long you guys have been around? How come I didn't hear about you all?
A - We started as a chip (Not potato type) company in 2004. We were designing and building custom chips for clients. We started building wireless devices for irrigation in 2015 and had our first product (WB-100 kit) out for sale in 2017 after getting our radio certified by FCC. So we have been around and we know electronics and know how to do what we need to do and how to build what we need to build. As for irrigation, we are all still learning every day.
Q - Where do we purchase your products? Do you work with a distributor?
A - We sell direct, no middle-man (or woman). Just send us an email with your order or just call. We are not working with any distributor anywhere.
Q - Do we need to pay to anyone to use your radios and your systems? Is it on the cell phone with monthly or yearly fees or some kind of government fees?
A - No, our radios work on the "FREE" 900MHz ISM band.
Q - Do we need to hire and pay anyone to install your gear? How hard is it?
A - If you can use a screwdriver, then you can install our gear. They are plug and play for all practical purposes.
Q - How do we program your devices?
A - You don't. We program them in our shop before shipping them, so you just install them.
Q - How come there is no manual on the web?
A - We have designed our gears so it can be installed and put in use without the need for them. Nobody reads the manuals, do they?
Q - Are you guys using LORA radios?
A - No.
Q - How is the transmitter powered? Is there any extra power supply?
A - Directly from the controller, there is no need for an extra supply.
Q - Would your gear work with any controller? Or do I need to buy a new controller?
A - Our gear works with any standard 24V controller.
Q - Do we need to change the solenoid on the valve or change the valve?
A - No, our gear works with all of the common valves with 24V-AC solenoids that we have come across so far.
Q - Would your products work with a 2-wire system?
A - It depends! Best way to figure it out is to call us and lets talk. We do NOT make 2-wire decoders, and none of our gear can replace that decoder. BUT, if the valve uses a regular generic solenoid that can be operated from a regular 24V-AC power source, then our gear would run it. Every and each 2-wire system is different from another one, there is no industry standard for these gears and none of them work with another brand.
Q - How far of a distance can this system work? What is the range?
A - It depends! But, up to one mile (5200-ft) is typically no issue. We can set things up to work for longer distance using specific antennas for our receivers. So, just call us and let us know about your project and we get things rigged.
Q - How long is the warranty?
A - Three years, but our products are NOT covered for damages caused by lightning strikes or power surges, or if our products are run over by a car or truck (it has happened!), damaged by a baseball bat or brick or any other object (just in case!), vandalism, and damage caused by flood or a dog or rat or fox or some other type of 4 (or 2) legged animal.
Q - What is the return or exchange policy on stock products if things change?
A - We accept returns of our stock products within the first 30 days of receipt of products (once you have them in your hand). We will charge a MINIMUM of 25% restocking fee. We will NOT accept any gear for any refund if they were installed in the field for any period of time.
Q - What is the return policy on modified or custom products?
A - We do not accept returns for any custom or modified products. Once we start the project on our end for a custom order product, then the deposit is not refundable. Or, to be clear, once we have a go ahead on a custom project, then consider no refund of any sort.
Q - Do we need to change everything in my system to this wireless setup? Or, can we just change what we need to change?
A - No, change what you need or must change at any time. Rest of the system can stay wired as is. We do NOT require all or nothing, so you folks can do what makes sense to you.
Q - How does this WS-602/610 moisture sensor kit work?
A - The kit allows every valve (or zone) to have its own moisture sensing ability to prevent over watering and water runoff and issues related to that. It allows effective irrigation based on real time (at the moment) moisture sensing and not a guess or calculation. It can prevent over watering the plants. Irrigation frequency is still set by the controller.
Q - How does this WS-601/621 kit work?
A - WS-601/621 can irrigate a zone based on measure moisture when needed. They work independent of a controller. They are used for cases where adding a controller is not a possible option.
Q: What is the difference between WS-601 and WS-621?
A - WS-621 ONLY works at night, from sun-down to sun-up. So, it is an ideal solution for landscaping. Nurseries need to irrigate all the time, so WS-601 is for nurseries.
Q - How does this wireless pump start relay kit work?
A - Our gear just replaces the wiring between the controller and that 24V contactor you may have (or need to have). The kit comes with a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter connects to the controller and connects to the pump connection of your controller. The receiver (of the kit) sits on the pump side and is powered from the wall (115V or 230V) and produces a 24VAC for the contactor on the pump. Once controller comes on, pump goes! Let us know what you need (115V, or 230V or 460V version) and we ship the right product for you.
Q - Can we fire up one pump from multiple controllers?
A - Yes, let us know and we will customize a solution for you. One receiver at the pump and multiple transmitters is all you would need. One transmitter at each location of your choice.
Q - Can you recommend a valve or a controller?
A - We rather not do that, but we can point you to some folks who would be able to help you with that decision and definitely share what we know with you.
Q - Does any of your gear come with an App for my cell phone?
A - No.
Q - Can we fire up say 8 or 9 valves from one zone?
A - Yes, as long as you folks have the water pressure to handle multiple zones, the number of valves operated from one zone can be infinite since there are not multiple solenoids on the controller, at the same time anymore.
Q - How do we control the valve or pump?
A - The controller that you have would control the valve or pump, our gear simply replaces the wiring between the valve or pump to that controller. Controller is in charge of "controlling", right?!
Q - We want to control my valves with my cell phone, so your gear does it?
A - No. If you have (or will get) a controller that is connected to the cloud or WiFi or cell phone, then you can control your valve via the controller with your cell phone.
Q - How do we program these devices once we buy them?
A - No need to program anything, we program everything in our shop and ship them to you. So, it is just plug & play on your end.
Q - Can you help us with a system than we can control and monitor remotely on our cell phones? But, we do not want to use cell phone based devices?
A - Yes, there are off-the-shelf controllers in the market that can do many things and are connected to "cloud" and provide free or very low cost cloud based services. There are many out there that are very very economical, there is really no need for cell phone based controllers in our opinion. Again, we do not make them or sell them, but we can help you find one.
Q - I got a house with "so-&-so" controller and "so-&-so" size and I need one valve to be connected to the controller, can I use your gear?
A - Short answer is YES. But, our gear is really not a good fit for average homes due to the cost. But, we will sell it to you if you want or need it. We have been saving a good deal time and money for schools, farms, office complexes and HOA's due to the need to extensive digging and trenching and longer distances between valves, pumps, flow sensors and controller.
Q - Is this WiFi or Bluetooth? Can I control your gear from my cell phone?
A - No to all of those questions. Our gears only talk to our gears, using a custom designed 900MHz ISM radio.
Q - How the solar panel connected to the box? Are they outside the box?
A - No, they are inside the box. The box has a clear cover, so everything is inside the box and you don't have to worry about installing the solar panel. But, please make sure the box stays clean and not covered with dirt, bird poop (very common), paint or anything else.
Q - Do these devices work around corner of a building? What if there is a wall or some trees and shrubs? Does it have to be line of sight?
A - All RF devices will operate around a corner, even if they are not in line of sight. The distance or range would highly be dependent on what is between the transmitter and receiver, operating frequency, power level of transmitter and receiver sensitivity and few other things. Stucco walls (with the "chicken wire" in it) or steel framed buildings would reduce the range quickly. Trees generally are not an issue, unless we are talking about a bunch of them like in an orchard, then antennas have to be raised above the canopies.
Q - How does the transmitters are powered? Do they need an extra power source like a 12V or 5V supply?
A - No, there is no need for any additional power source. Transmitters are powered directly from the controller and there is NO need for additional power source.
Q - Can we place the transmitters inside the metal box that houses the controller?
A - Yes, but the antenna MUST be placed outside the metal box. We will provide needed antenna and cable for your project if the controller is placed in a metal box. RF signals die in a metal box, that is how things are just like cell phone signal dies in a metal frame building.
Q - Do you do custom solutions if we have a need for it?
A - Yes.
Q - Do I need to have direct sun light all the time on the receiver? Do the receivers need sunlight "all the time"?
A - Yes. We recommend direct sun light, minimum of 4 hours a day.
Q - Is there a battery inside the receiver?
A - Yes, the battery runs the valve and it is charged by the solar panel. The solar panel is NOT running the solenoid.
Q - Can I use your product outside USA? Will you ship to outside to USA?
A - Our gear is certified by FCC here in USA, we can ship it to anywhere that accepts United States FCC certification.
Q - What about lightning? How does this help?
A - No more wires between anything to controllers. So a direct hit on a valve or pump or any other device doesn't travel to controller or any other device. Maybe one valve and its receiver box gets fried, but everything else stays put.
Q - We have a pump with so & so voltage and so & so horsepower, can you get a pump start for that?
A - Yes, any voltage and any power. Just let us know what you need and we can offer you a solution or make you one if we do not have one already.
Q - We got "x" number of controllers scattered around our property, can we combine them in one place and NOT run new wires? We also want to use ONE controller only for the property.
A - Yes, we got very unique group of products for a project like yours. Call us up and we help you get it done.
Q - Does your gear work with any flow sensor?
A - Not ALL, but most of them in the market. Please call us up and let us know what you have in mind and we will help you with the project.
